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On October 28, 2013, William P. Doyle, Commissioner, Federal Maritime Commission (FMC), attended the 7th U.S.- China Bilateral Maritime Consultative Meeting as a member of the U.S. delegation. The meeting took place in Chicago, Illinois. The FMC was asked by international and U.S. maritime industry stakeholders to address the recent value added tax (VAT) implemented by China. China was represented on this matter by officials from its Ministry of Transport (MOT). Commissioner Doyle explained that businesses in the U.S. are seeking clarity and guidance on the new VAT rule as well as confirmation from China that the VAT is being applied fairly to all businesses. Commissioner Doyle also highlighted that companies are concerned that they may be paying too much on the VAT and would like to know the reimbursement process. Likewise, if businesses were paying too little, they were concerned that they would be billed or penalized later. The Ministry of Transport listened carefully to the concerns and committed to seeking further answers from China's State Administration on Taxation (SAT).

From left to right: Federal Maritime Commissioner William P. Doyle, Deputy-Director- General Li Hongyin, Bureau of Water Transport, Chinese Ministry of Transport,and Acting Administrator Paul "Chip" Jaenichen, U.S. Maritime Administration